The Evolution of Bluey’s Music
Even if you don’t have children in your life, there’s a high chance you can hum the theme tune of the beloved children’s series, Bluey. This iconic and upbeat melody has recently been reimagined with an orchestral twist in the latest album, Bluey: Up Here, which was released last week. The album features music from favorite episodes played for the first time with a full symphony orchestra.
Music has always been a vital part of the show’s storytelling since its debut in 2018. Original compositions by composer and musician, George Bush, are paired with delightful classical music selections, ranging from whimsical to deeply emotional.
When Bush was just 15, he remembers hearing a performance of Debussy’s L’isle joyeuse (The Isle of Joy). “I thought there was nothing more beautiful in the world,” he recalls. This experience inspired him to pursue a career in music.
Bush wishes that his younger self had known that classical music could be fun and playful. “You don’t have to like something just because it says Mozart,” he explains. “It’s up to you to find your own connection with it.”
Through Bluey, Bush has introduced this connection to a new generation of listeners. The show includes pieces like Mozart’s Rondo alla turca (The Magic Xylophone) and Jupiter from Holst’s The Planets (Sleepytime). One of Bush’s favorite moments is from the episode Ice Cream, where the sisters Bluey and Bingo dance around to Waltz of the Flowers from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.
However, inspiring a love for classical music wasn’t the primary goal. “What we were trying to do was what was best for the story,” Bush says. He believes that kids often miss the opportunity to connect with classical music, and he’s proud that Bluey helps bridge that gap.
A Global Phenomenon with Local Roots
The show’s reach is vast. For two years in a row, Bluey has been the most-streamed show in the US, surpassing long-running international hits like Grey’s Anatomy. Despite its global success, Bluey remains firmly rooted in Brisbane.
This sense of local connection becomes tangible when speaking with Bush in ABC Classic’s studio overlooking the river, with a Bluey-themed ferry gliding past. “We’re in such a bubble here in Brisbane,” he says. “It blows my mind when we get feedback from all around the world and realize, ‘oh, you guys are watching it.’”
The success of the show still surprises Bush. “We’re just a group of people trying to make something cool.” Unsurprisingly, the new album is also deeply connected to Brisbane. It features over 100 musicians, mostly based in the city, including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) and Camerata, as well as other musicians the Bluey team regularly collaborates with.
For Bush, the recording process was a surreal experience. “When you go in and the symphony orchestra is warming up, they’re playing all of your music,” he shares. “It’s like a weird dream where all your music is being played by different instruments at once. I had to sit down for a minute.”
Hidden Gems in the Music
The album is filled with “Easter eggs” for classical music fans. The orchestral version of the theme, composed by Joseph Twist, includes eight or nine references to various classical pieces, either in style or through direct quotes. “I hope you can pick them out!” Bush laughs.
One of the musical references stands out. “The QSO played it so well… They put their own flavor on it, which doesn’t often happen with orchestral musicians,” Bush says.
The orchestral sounds of Bluey: Up Here are a far cry from how Bush and his team started. “We didn’t have a successful show before we began,” he admits. The initial sound world of Bluey was built around what the music team and their friends could create themselves. Bush brought in a friend to play the violin, another on woodwinds, and filled the rest with accordion, keyboard, and himself on vocals. “Which is actually a problem because I’m not a good singer, so I had to get really good at Auto-Tune,” he jokes.
Reaching All Ages
Bluey’s fan base spans across age groups, including adults who enjoy watching it with the children in their lives. However, Bush doesn’t deliberately write music for kids or adults. “That can be dangerous,” he says. “You end up putting yourself in a box and unable to do what you think is best for the story.”
He treats the music as he would any other show, keeping in mind that it’s seven minutes long, which gives it its own character. While meeting the emotional needs of children is a priority, Bush is also aware of avoiding anything that might overwhelm young ears. “If you’re clear on the intention of the music and it supports the story, it helps kids feel safe watching it.”
Final Thoughts and Availability
Bluey: Up Here, featuring the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Camerata, conducted by Joseph Twist, is now available on vinyl, CD, and streaming platforms. Tune in to Kids Classics with Genevieve Lang on ABC Classic for the best classical music that kids will love. Join us for three special episodes with the little ones in your life, starting 11 April at 5pm with a celebration of the music from Bluey.
